Law360 Insurance Authority, “Unstable NYC Building Promises Complex Claims Process,” quotes Patrick Kennell, Esq., 7-16-2026

Kaufman Dolowich’s Patrick Kennell, Co-Managing Partner of KD’s New York City office, was quoted in a recent Law360 Insurance Authority article on the complex insurance claims and coverage issues that could arise from the structural failure at a 37-story Manhattan building undergoing an office-to-residential conversion. 

Mr. Kennell in the article explained that engineers and other professionals who worked on the project will try to determine the root cause of the failures. Contractors, subcontractors, engineers and architects are often the focus of investigations into the cause of a building failure, he noted, adding that insurers will often work in conjunction with project professionals to determine responsible parties. 

“All of those professionals should be insured,” he said in the article. “It’s very important for professionals to make sure that they put their insurers on notice of any potential claims.”

In the article, Mr. Kennell also noted that on major projects like this one, there are typically many professionals involved. Determining who exactly is responsible might be difficult, and there might not be one answer, leading to questions over apportioning responsibilities that could eventually go to litigation and a jury trial if left unresolved. 

Subscribers can read the full article here: Unstable NYC Building Promises Complex Claims Process – Law360 Real Estate Authority